Competitions
General Information
Competition work is a great learning experience. Both parents and students learn a lot from the adjudicators and the other dancers. Seeing the difference in ability and the standard displayed at the different festivals can be a powerful tool to motivate the students. Festivals are very entertaining to watch too!
I highly recommend participating in Festival work as it trains the students to work with a group, teaches discipline, builds confidence and it’s a lot of fun for everyone! We strive for a high standard for the students as we do not want anyone participating in Festival work to come out feeling badly about themselves or their performance. We may be from a small town, but we don’t want to “look small town”.
Competition work is completely voluntary. Rehearsals are mainly held outside of classroom technical work.
Typically we enter four (4) festivals every year, and this coming season we plan to offer our own festival here in Olds. Please watch for more information as it becomes available.
On the board upstairs, you will find a Competition List. Please highlight your child’s name on the list for YES or scratch off your child’s name (NO). Please make your selections as soon as possible.
Solos and duets
Soloists and duos may participate in as many festivals as they wish. If they choose festivals outside the four that Miss Trish chooses, they may need to arrange for another teacher or parent to put on their music while at competition.
Solo and duet work will be held on Tuesdays for the Senior dancers. Saturdays will be scheduled for the rest of the competitive dancers. Mondays will be used if we run short of time.
Group Performances
All large groups will be rehearsed on Saturdays. This year we are also doing a production number, “Toy Story”. The teachers will attempt to rehearse new work once or twice at the end of each class if time allows. Trish tries very hard to make sure that the same students do not dance every Saturday.
You MUST attend all the Festivals that your particular group(s) will be entering. If you know of a conflict, you may try to find an understudy. You will be responsible for all entry and costume fees.
Rehearsals
First time competitive students (beginner dancers) will rehearse on Saturdays, although NOT every Saturday.
Competitive students through Pre-Intermediate will rehearse on Fridays or Saturdays, although not every Friday or Saturday. Hip Hop dancers will rehearse on Thursdays. First-time competitive students are the only students that may participate in Festivals without taking Ballet. Ballet builds strong technique in all disciplines. These young children can get by just looking adorable!
Students second year and up must enter their age group in competitions. For example, a 2nd year 14-year-old dancer may compete against someone who has danced and competed since they were 4 years old. Trish wants the students to be able to have fun and look confident on what they are presenting.
Regular competing students will rehearse groups on Saturdays. Solos and Duets will rehearse mainly on Fridays.
Parents must watch the upstairs whiteboard as rehearsals are typically scheduled in two-week segments. You could expect to rehearse every two to three weeks as needed. Rehearsals may increase as festivals approach if more work is required.
Teachers will attempt to rehearse routines once or twice at the end of each class if time allows. Trish tries very hard to make sure that the same students do not rehearse every week.
There is no limit to the number of routines a student may enter – if offered.
Please make sure that Miss Trish knows in which solo/duet/trio and group routines you wish to participate.
Dress Rehearsal
Dress Rehearsals are at the Transcanada Theatre of the Fine Arts Centre in Olds.
There is dress rehearsal charge per person, per group to cover rental expenses.
